Router attachment adaptor and cover for same

This invention generally relates to hand tools and more particularly to routers and even more particularly to attachments for routers.

A router is a well-known rotary cutting tool for routing a work piece. Typically, a router has a rotating bit, which is used to cut material such as wood. It is often desirable to attach attachments to the router. For instance, the router could be attached to a base that includes handles for improved manipulation of the router. Alternatively, the router could be attached to attachments that improve the functionality such as circle compasses or devices for allowing the router to cut a straight slot in a piece of wood.

It is often important to have a smooth surface for the router to slide on the work piece. Thus, it can be advantageous to cover any mounting structure use to attach the attachment to the router.

The present application is directed toward improvements over the prior art and particularly improvements for attachments for routers.

Embodiments provide a new and improved attachment for a router.

In an example, an attachment for a router includes a frame arrangement, a bottom cover, and a rotation mounting arrangement between the frame and the bottom cover. The frame arrangement has a top side and a bottom side. The top side generally faces the router, when attached thereto, and the bottom side generally faces away from the router. The frame arrangement has an outer rim, a central hub and a mounting portion. The outer rim has a rim bottom most extent. The central hub is located radially inward of the outer rim. The central hub has a hub bottom most extent. The central hub defines an opening configured to receive the bit therethrough along a central axis when the router is attached to the top side of the frame arrangement. The mounting portion extends radially between the outer rim and the central hub. The mounting portion has at least one mounting aperture therethrough. The bottom cover is removably mountable to the frame arrangement radially between the central hub and the outer rim. The bottom cover covers the mounting portion. The rotation mounting arrangement is provided in part by a first portion provided by the bottom cover and is provided in part by a second portion provided by the frame arrangement. The rotation mounting arrangement has a first orientation wherein the bottom cover may be axially positionable relative to the frame arrangement parallel to the central axis and a second orientation wherein the bottom cover may not be removed from the frame arrangement axially parallel to the central axis and is axially secured to the frame arrangement.

In one example, the first and second orientations are angular orientations about the central axis.

In one example, the bottom cover is in a first angular position about the central axis relative to the frame arrangement in the first orientation and is in a second angular position about the central axis relative to the frame arrangement in the second orientation. The bottom cover is rotated relative to the frame arrangement about the central axis between the first and second orientations.

In one example, the first portion of the rotation mounting arrangement includes a first tab provided by the bottom cover. The second portion of the rotation mounting arrangement includes a second tab provided by the outer rim. The first and second tabs being angularly aligned with one another in the second orientation with the second tab being positioned axially further from the top side of the frame arrangement than the first tab.

In one example, the first tab has a first tab axially outward facing abutment surface that is axially offset from a bottom most surface of the bottom cover. The second tab has an axially inward facing abutment surface that is axially offset from the bottom most extent of the outer rim. The axially outward facing abutment surface faces the axially inward facing abutment surface in the second orientation.

In one example, the rotation mounting arrangement includes a first angular abutment provided by the bottom cover and a second angular abutment provided by the frame arrangement. The first and second angular abutments angularly abut when the bottom cover is in the second orientation. The first and second angular abutments limit angular rotation of the bottom cover relative to the frame arrangement preventing the first tab of the bottom cover from rotating past the second tab of the frame arrangement after the bottom cover transitions to the second orientation from the second orientation.

In one example, a locking member, in a locked configuration, extends axially from the bottom cover and into a cavity in the frame arrangement to prevent rotation of the bottom cover from the second orientation to the first orientation.

In one example, the locking member extends from one of the bottom cover and the frame arrangement into a cavity formed in the other one of the frame arrangement and the bottom cover. The locking member is removable from the cavity to permit rotation of the bottom cover relative to the frame arrangement.

In one example, the outer rim includes a first axially extending notch angularly offset from the second tab. The outer rim includes a first relief axially above the second tab connected to the first axially extending notch. The first tab aligns with the first axially oriented notch and is axially movable within the first axially oriented notch in the first orientation. The first tab is located within the first relief in the second orientation.

In one example, the first axially extending notch and the first relief are connected such that, when the bottom cover is rotated about the central axis to transition between the first and second orientations, the first tab moves angularly from the first axially extending notch into the first relief.

In one example, in the second orientation, the bottom cover axially abuts the mounting portion.

In one example, the frame arrangement defines an axial recess that is recessed relative to a bottom most extent of the outer rim. The bottom cover includes a body portion that is axially received, at least in part, within the axial recess when in the second orientation. The outer rim defines an outer radial periphery. The bottom cover is positioned entirely radially inward of the outer radial periphery of the outer rim.

In one example, the axial recess is recessed relative to a bottom most extent of the central hub.

In one example, the first portion of the rotation mounting arrangement extends radially relative to the body portion of the bottom cover.

In one example, a locking member, in a locked configuration relative to the bottom cover and frame arrangement, prevents rotation of the bottom cover from the second orientation to the first orientation.

In one example, the locking member is in the form of a screw that extends through the bottom cover and threads into the frame arrangement when in the second orientation.

In one example, the mounting portion includes a first spoke that is moveable relative to the central hub and outer rim about the central axis such that a position of the first spoke relative to outer rim is adjustable. The first spoke including the mounting aperture.

In one example, the mounting portion includes a second spoke that is fixed between the outer rim and central hub. The second spoke includes a second mounting aperture. The first spoke is angularly repositionable about the central axis to change a position of the mounting aperture of the first spoke relative to the second mounting aperture second spoke.

In one example, the attachment is an adaptor for mounting the router to another component. The frame arrangement includes a portion of a second rotation mounting arrangement for rotationally connecting the frame arrangement to another component.

In an example, an adaptor attachment for a router having a bit is provided. The adaptor attachment is configured to attach the router to another component. The adaptor attachment includes a frame arrangement. The frame arrangement has a top side and a bottom side and a bit aperture extending through the frame and defining a central axis. The frame arrangement has an outer rim having a first portion of a first rotational mounting arrangement configured to rotationally attach the frame arrangement to another component. The frame arrangement has a mounting portion extending radially inward from the outer rim. The mounting portion has at least one mounting aperture therethrough. The adaptor attachment includes a bottom cover removably mountable to the frame arrangement to cover the mounting portion. A second rotation mounting arrangement has a first portion provided by the bottom cover and a second portion provided by the frame arrangement. The rotation mounting arrangement having a first orientation wherein the bottom cover may be axially positionable relative to the frame arrangement parallel to the central axis and a second orientation wherein the bottom cover may not be removed from the frame arrangement axially parallel to the central axis and is axially secured to the frame arrangement.

In one example, the first portion of the first rotational mounting arrangement includes an axially facing abutment surface that faces in a direction that extends away from the bottom side of the frame arrangement.

In an example, an attachment for router is provided. The attachment includes a frame arrangement, a bottom cover, and first and second rotation mounting portions. The frame arrangement has a top side and a bottom side. The frame arrangement has an outer rim. The frame arrangement has a mounting portion attached to the outer rim. The mounting portion has at least one mounting aperture therethrough. The mounting portion is positioned radially inward of the outer rim. The bottom cover is removably mountable to the frame arrangement. The bottom cover covers the mounting portion with the mounting portion being closer to the router than the adjacent portion of the bottom cover when mounted to the router. The first rotation mounting portion is provided by the bottom cover. The second rotation mounting portion is provided by the frame arrangement. The first rotation mounting portion has a first orientation relative to the second rotation mounting portion wherein the bottom cover may be axially positionable relative to the frame arrangement parallel to the central axis. The first rotation mounting portion has a second orientation relative to the second rotation mounting portion wherein the first rotation mounting portion is angularly aligned with the second rotation mounting portion and the first rotation mounting portion axially abuts the second rotation mounting portion such that the bottom cover may not be removed from the frame arrangement axially parallel to the central axis and the bottom cover is axially secured to the frame arrangement.

In one example, the outer rim has a radially outward extending tab forming part of a rotation mounting arrangement for attaching the frame arrangement to another component that is different than the router and different from the bottom cover such that the attachment forms an adaptor attachment.

Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

illustrates a schematic routerthat includes a rotating bit. The routerincludes a housingthat may house the motor and electronics for the router.

A bottom endof the routerincludes a plurality of mounting apertures. Typically, the mounting aperturesare threaded for receipt of bolts/screws to attach attachmentto the routerand particularly the housingthereof. While the illustrated routerincludes four (4) mounting aperturesother routers could have a different number of mounting aperturesand/or a different pattern of the mounting apertures. It is typical for individual manufactures to have their own distinct pattern and/or orientation. As there are a large number of manufacturers that manufacture various different routers, a large number of patterns for the mounting apertures in the industry exist.

illustrates an attachmentfor routerin the form of an adaptor attachment (also referred to herein as “adaptor”) that can be attached proximate the bottom endof the router. The adaptorincludes a portion of a first rotational mounting arrangementillustrated in the form of a plurality of radially extending tabs. The portion of the first rotational mounting arrangementwould cooperate with a portion of the first rotational mounting arrangementprovided by another device to which the routeris to be attached. For example, the user may desire to attach the routerto another device such as a router base that includes handles, a circle compass, a router guide, or other components that could be used in a fixed relation to the router. The adaptorallows for quick attachment and detachment of the routerto/from the other device.

In use, the user would rotationally engage the different portions of the first rotational mounting arrangement by rotating the adaptorand associated portion of the first rotational mounting arrangementrelative to the corresponding portion of the device to which the routeris being attached.

The adaptorincludes a frame arrangementthat include the first rotational mounting arrangement.

The adaptoris designed to be able to be attached to a large number of routers, regardless of the pattern of the mounting apertures. In this embodiment, the adaptorincludes a mounting portion that include mounting apertures in the form of mounting slotsthrough which bolts/screws can extend that will thread into mounting aperturesof the router. The bolts/screws will secure the adaptorto the router.

The frame arrangementdefines a central hubthat defines a central aperturethrough which the bitextends. The frame arrangementalso includes an outer rimthat surrounds the central hub. The mounting slotsare angularly spaced around the central huband generally radially interposed between the central huband outer rim.

The mounting portion in this example is provided by a plurality of radially extending spoke members through which the mounting slotsare formed.

In this example, the spoke members include radially extending permanent spoke membersand radially extending adjustable spoke members. Permanent spoke membersare permanently attached to the central huband outer rim, e.g. molded with the central huband outer rimin fixed orientations relative to the central huband outer rim. However, other embodiments could have the permanent spoke members formed as separate components that are otherwise affixed to the central huband outer rim.

Adjustable spoke membersare movable components, and preferably removable components, that do not have a fixed orientation relative to the central hub, outer rimor the permanent spoke members. Some embodiments could have only permanent spoke members. Some embodiments could have only adjustable spoke members.

With reference to, the central huband outer rimeach have a generally stepped profile that engage with corresponding ends of the adjustable spoke memberswhile allowing for adjusting the angular position of the adjustable spoke membersabout the central apertureand a central axisdefined by the central aperture. More particularly, the central hubincludes an annular wall portionand a radially outward extending flangethat defines a stepped region. Similarly, the out rimincludes an annular wall portionand a radially inward extending flangethat defines a stepped region.

The radially inner endand radially outer endof the adjustable spoke membersare configured to cooperate with the central huband outer rim, respectively, to axially locate the adaptorto the router. More particularly, the adjustable spoke memberswill clamp the adaptorand particularly the frame arrangementto the bottom endof the router.

The adaptorincludes bottom cover. The coverforms a smooth planar surface to allow the router adaptorto slide over a work piece. Coveralso covers the spokes,.

The coveris attached to the frame arrangementby axially inserting at least portion a body portion of the bottom coverinto a recessformed by the frame arrangementand then rotating the coverrelative to the frame arrangement.

The recessis generally formed by the central hub, outer rimand the spokes,. Here, recessis recessed from the bottom most extent of the central huband the outer rim. As such, in this example, the bottom cover is positioned radially between the central huband the outer rim. However, not all examples need to have a central hub.

Further, the bottom coveris preferably entirely radially inward of an outer radial periphery of the outer rim, e.g. an outer radial periphery defined by sidewall.

In general, the thickness of the coveris substantially equal to the recessto provide a flush arrangement between the bottom coverand the bottom most extent of one or both of the central huband outer rim.

A second a rotation mounting arrangementis provided between the coverand the frame arrangement. The rotation mounting arrangementis provided in part by a first portion provided by the bottom coverand provided in part by a second portion provided by the frame arrangement. The rotation mounting arrangementhas a first angular orientation wherein the bottom covermay be axially positionable relative to the frame arrangement(see) parallel to the central axisand a second orientation (see) wherein the bottom covermay not be removed from the frame arrangementaxially parallel to the central axis. As such, in the second orientation, the bottom coveris axially secured to the frame arrangement.

In this example, the first portion of the rotation mounting arrangementincludes a first tabprovided by the bottom cover. The second portion of the rotation mounting arrangementincludes a second tabprovided by the outer rim.

In one example, the first tabextends radially from the body portion of the bottom cover. In this example, the vertical thickness (e.g. parallel to the axis) is less than a vertical thickness of the body portion from which the first tabextends.